Annalisa is an actor, improviser, & an enthusiastic storywriter who lives in Sydney, Australia. Raised in Perth, Annalisa became involved in acting at a young age in local fringe theatre productions & then short films later on. Co-founding a successful improv drop-in acting group in Fremantle, Annalisa decided to head east to Sydney & then overseas to venture further into the acting realm.
»BIOGRAPHY«
My acting has revolved around theatre productions mostly, including GREASE (Regal Theatre) & THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW (Deckchair Theatre Company). I have worked on many short films as well as a film for the FTI called "FOLLOW ME TIM". Having been involved with film & stage productions, my preference to work on screen is definitely more prominent. There is just some vibe you get from film, knowing that your work will be seen again at a later date. This is really the only let down with theatre productions. Keeping a record of your work is like looking at old photo albums. You can reminisce and re-live that moment again. Every part of my life has become the very reason I want to be a performer.

A few years ago, I started an acting workshop in Perth, WA, alongside a friend of mine, called 'Actors Coming Together' (or 'ACT'). The workshop began as an actor’s drop-in initiative for those who wanted to work out their skills with other actors & directors. We gained a great relationship with the FTI (film institute) & their students. The filmmakers at the FTI cast their films using the actors in ACT's workshops. I couldn't believe what I had started. I was really making a difference in the lives of some actors, getting them roles on film school projects and keeping their dreams alive.

In 2005, I spent about a year travelling in the USA with a good amount of that time in Los Angeles sussing out the acting gig with my boyfriend Elliott Collinson. We were extremely informed as to the life you live & what expectations are really required in the acting game! I was lucky to be involved with a few projects including music videos and some short films for the AFI, Los Angeles. Going to meetings and classes with some friends kept most of our time occupied. Oh god, what a hoot!!

Moving back to Sydney, Australia in 2006 made us want to pursue the acting even further. But, the work did not flow as much as we had intended. I suppose life grabs you for a moment and works you out in its own way.

2009 became a huge year for the pro-active and self motivated spirit in me. Along with Elliott, we Executive Produced (fully funded I might add) a short film called DENOUEMENT as acting work was getting ridiculous. If you can't dedicate your entire time schedule to acting, it makes it hard to get any constant work! By chance, we met with a friend's business partner and talked about making our own film. In January we had an idea, By February we had a script and by mid March we were filming, hard!! What an unbelievable experience this turned out to be. We never thought this could have been possible by any stretch of the imagination. But, yet, we accomplished the task we set out to achieve. We found time when we had none, we found money when it was needed most for production costs and we pulled off a big one.

Post production finished up on Denouement by the end of May. A premiere of the film was held in Sydney for industry people, only to receive a standing ovation and applause. What had we created!! One of those freakish life experiences I suppose. Upon receiving this positive feedback, decisions were made to enter the film into Film Festivals all over the place such as Los Angeles, Boston, New York & London to name a few. The film was definitely different to what other material we were up against. We had shot the film on 35mm Vista Vision Film Stock. What a costly exercise, but in the end, well worth the expense.

Then, all of a sudden, we started getting replies from festivals for Official Selections. WEST HOLLYWOOD INT'L FILM FESTIVAL, SOCAL FILM FESTIVAL, INDIEFEST FILM FESTIVAL & NEW HAMPSHIRE FILM FESTIVAL. SOCAL Film Fest wanted our film to open their program festivities. We also have had the NEW YORK CITY DOWNTOWN FILM FESTIVAL showing the best of submissions downtown as an official pre-selection screening for their festival.

We took out 3 awards at the WEST HOLLYWOOD INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL including BEST DRAMA, BEST SOUNDTRACK & an HONORARY MENTION. We were also awarded with BEST INTERNATIONAL FILM ACHIEVEMENT at the SOCAL INDEPENDENT FILM FESTIVAL. Both these festivals are in Los Angeles. What a mind blowing result as you can imagine. We are still riding the wave! We don't know what else is in store for us so you really have to go where life takes you.